Adjustment mechanism for filler apparatus

ABSTRACT

A filling machine including a revolvable multicavity unit having a plurality of vertical cavities therein. A plurality of vertical movable dispensing plungers which force a flowable food product from the cavities during downward movement of the plungers and which control the filling of the cavities during upward movement thereof. Cam rollers on the dispensing plungers and a cam track for controlling the vertical movement of the plungers, including an adjustable plunger lifting portion which is vertically shiftable relative to a fixed cam portion, and which is shiftable in response to movement of a fluid pressure piston and cylinder unit. A control device including a second piston and cylinder unit wherein a piston is shiftable in a cylinder in response to axial movement of a threaded revolvable member to control operation of said first piston and cylinder unit and the vertical position of said plunger lifting portion.

United States Patent [72] lnventor Lyndon R. Leining Mapleview, Minn. [2]] Appl. No. 723,058 [22] Filed Apr. 22, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 12,197] [73] Assignee Geo. A. Hormel & Company Austin, Minn. a corporation of Delaware [54] ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR FILLER APPARATUS 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 222/255, 222/309, 141/146 [51] Int.Cl 867d 5/52 [50] Field ofSearch 141/144, 148,149,150,151,152;222/(lnquired),52; l03/(lnquired); 53/(lnquired); 198/(lnquired); 222/255,168.5,309;141/1;14l/145,146,147

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,961,013 11/1960 Johnson 141/1 2,881,596 4/1959 Sheen Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-H. S. Lang Attorney-Williamson, Palmatier and Bains ABSTRACT: A filling machine including a revolvable multicavity unit having a plurality of vertical cavities therein. A plurality of vertical movable dispensing plungers which force a flowable food product from the cavities during downward movement of the plungers and which control the filling of the cavities during upward movement thereof. Cam rollers on the dispensing plungers and a cam track for controlling the vertical movement of the plungers, including an adjustable plunger lifting portion which is vertically shiftable relative to a fixed cam portion, and which is shiftable in response to movement of a fluid pressure piston and cylinder unit. A control device including a second piston and cylinder unit wherein a piston is shiftable in a cylinder in response to axial movement of a threaded revolvable member to control operation of said first piston and cylinder unit and the vertical position of said plunger lifting portion.

PATENTEDJMI2191: 1554.411

samgnf 3 INVENTOR. I

#11100 ELEM/M16 I Arrow/His ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR FILLER APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There are currently available commercial dispensing machines for dispenjng flowable food products into containers from cavities located in a revolvable multicavity unit. These units have dispensing plungers which are vertically movable in the cavities during dispensing of the flowable food products into the containers and during filling of the cavities. The plungers are vertically shiftable as a result of the coaction of a cam follower and cam follower track, the latter including a plunger lifting portion which is vertically adjustable with respect to the remaining fixed portion of the track. By adjusting the cam track, the amount of upward travel of the dispensing plungers may be controlled and consequently control of the quantity of material introduced in the cavity. Adjustment of these cam tracks in the commercial machines can be accomplished by manually adjusting an adjustment bolt but this requires stoppage of the machine. Further, in the commercial machines, the adjustment bolt is subject to rapid wear and damage since it is subjected to substantial shock impulses during operation of the machine.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a dispensing apparatus of this type with a control device so that the volume of material being dispensed may be selectively adjusted at a remote point by an operator during operation of the machine. More specifically, the present invention is directed towards the provision in such a dispensing machine of a fluid pressure unit which engages an adjustable portion of the cam track to urge the same downwardly against the bias of a coil spring, the fluid pressure unit being part of a closed fluid pressure system including a control mechanism. The control mechanism unit being readily operable to control operation of the fluid pressure unit so that the adjustable portion of the cam track may be readily adjusted to control the vertical travel of the dispensing plungers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective viewof the dispensing machine,

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective illustrating the plunger lifting portion of the cam track structure and also illustrating the means for controlling vertical adjustment thereof,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the fluid pressure mechanism,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows,

and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the .drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of the dispensing machine is diagrammatically illustrated and is designated in its entirety by the reference numerals 10. This dispensing machine 10 is a commercial type and is generally known in the trade. It is used in the dispensing of a flowable meat product or other similar product which is continuously introduced to the cavities of the machine and is thereafter dispensed into containers, such as metal containers. This dispensing machine 10 includes a stationary housing 11 in which is revolvably mounted a revolvable dispensing unit 12. This revolvable dispensing unit 12 is revolved by suitable power means such as an electric motor or the like.

The revolvable dispensing unit 12 includes a generally circular multicavity structure 13 which, as'shown, is horizontally oriented and is revolvable in a horizontal plane about a substantially vertical axis. This multicavity structure 13 has a plu- LII rality of similar cavities 14 therein which are of generally rectangular configuration and are vertically oriented. 1 he multicavitystructure I3 has a plurality of inlets 15 therein each communicating with one of the cavities and each being successively moved into communicating relation with the discharge end of an elongate supply conduit 16. The other end of the supply conduit is connected to a source of flowable food product, such as comminuted meat. The comminuted meat is pumped through the supply conduit 16 by suitable pump device (not shown) so that as each'cavity inlet 15 is intercommunicated with the discharge end of the supply conduit. a predetermined volume of flowable food product will be forced into each cavity. A stationary shield or ring 17 is positioned around and closely confines the exterior surface of the multicavity structure 13.

The revolvable dispensing unit 12 also includes a plurality of vertical oriented dispensing plungers 18 which are revolvable with the multicavity structure 18 which are revolvable with the multicavity structure 13 and each plunger projecting downwardly into one of the cavities 14. It is pointed out that the plungers 18 are vertically shiftable relative to the multicavity structure 13 and each plunger is shiftable in one of said cavities. In this regard, each plunger 1-8 when moved vertically downwardly urges the volume of meat in the associated cavity outwardly through the lower open end thereof and into a container. It is pointed out that the cross-sectional configuration of the plungers l8 correspond to the cross-sectional shape and size of the associated cavity 14. Similarly. each container into which the flowable food product is dispensed is also similar in cross-sectional size and configuration to the face of the plunger.

A conveyor device 19 including a conveyor and track structure serves to convey the open top container C into a position below the revolving multicavity structure 13. This conveyor" device 19 is synchronized for movement with movement ofthe multicavity structure 19 so that each container will be positioned below one of the cavities and in registering relation therewith when the flowable food product is urged downwardly therefrom. It is also pointed out that although the details of construction of the dispensingmachine 10 are not shown, the open lower end of the cavities will be closed by suitable shield device during revolving movement of thedispensing unit 12 after each cavity has been filled with the flowable food product and prior to discharge of the flowable food product therefrom.

As pointed out above, when each plunger 18 is shifted downwardly, the flowable food product within the associated cavity will be forced outwardly through the lower open end thereof and into the container. However, each dispensing plunger is shifted vertically upwardly, as the associated cavity is intercommunicated with the supply conduit 16 so that filling of the cavity occurs. The amount of upward 'travel of each roller is moveable along a cam track structure 22 which is' of annular construction and which as shown is'positioned interiorly of the plungers 18. The cam track structure constitutes part of a commercially known machine and does not,-perse, comprise the present invention. The cam track structure includes a fixed portion 23 which actually comprises amajor part of the entire cam track structure. .The cam track structure also includes a vertically adjustable plunger lifting portion 24 and this plunger lifting portion forms only a relatively small part of the overall cam track structure. The fixed portion of cam track structure guides and controls the vertical position of the plungers as they are moved in a circular path."l'hesc plungers will be maintained in an elevated position until the plungers have reached the dispensing position or station. The

fixed portion of the cam track is provided at dispensing station with a downwardly extending portion (not shown) which causes the plunger to move downwardly in its associated cavity and to express or dispense a flowable product into a container C.

Each plunger 18 w? l be at a lower position as it approaches the plunger lifting portion 24 andit will be noted that the plunger lifting portion has an upwardly inclined ramp surface 25 and a horizontally oriented surface 26. The plunger lifting portion 24 is positioned in a recess of the fixed cam track portion 23 so that the ends of the ramp surface 25 and the horizontal surface 26 will be disposed in substantial alignment with track surface located at the ends of the fixed cam portion. Thus when the roller 21 of each plunger is moved along the ramp surface 25, the plunger will be elevated and this upward travel of each plunger occurs as the associated cavity is intercommunicated with the discharge end of the supply conduit. Therefore, filling of the cavity occurs during upward shifting movement of the plunger. 2

The amount of upward travel, obviously controls the quantity of material which is introduced into the cavity. This plunger lifting portion 24 is vertically adjustable relative to the fixed track portion to permit the vertical upward travel of the plungers to be adjusted. The plunger lifting portion 24 has a vertical bore 27 therethrough, and an elongate bolt 28 projects through the bore and threadedly engages in a sleeve 29 which in turn is secured to the stationary portion of the machine. A heavy coil spring 30 is positioned around the bolt 28 and has one end thereof bearing against the sleeve and the other end thereof bearing against the lower surface of the plunger lifting portion 24. Thus downward movement of the plunger lifting portion is yieldably resisted by the coil spring 30. Opposite ends of the plunger lifting portion 24 have vertically arranged longitudinal projections 31 integrally formed therewith which snugly fit into mating grooves 32 formed in the ends of the fixed portion of the cam track structure. Therefore, the plunger lifting portion is guided in its vertical movement relative to the fixed portion 23.

Inasmuch as the coil spring 30 constantly urges the plunger lifting portion 24 in an upward direction, means are provided for exerting downward pressure on the plunger lifting portion to cooperate with the coil spring for selectively positioning the plunger lifting portion at a desired elevation. This means includes a fluid pressure mechanism 33 which comprises a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder units. The fluid pressure mechanism 33 includes an upper housing member 34 and a lower housing member 35 which are secured together by suitable bolts 36 that threadedly engage in registering threaded recesses. These housing members have identical eylindrically shaped chambers 37 therein which open downwardly and each chamber having one of a pair of pistons 38 positioned therein.

Each piston 38 has a pair of annular grooves therein in which is positioned a conventional O-ring type seal 39 which engages the inner surface of the associated chamber 37. Each piston 38 also has a piston rod 40 integrally formed with the lower end thereof projecting downwardly and exteriorly of the associated chamber 37. it will be noted that the lower ends of the piston rods 40 engage the upper surface of the plunger lifting portion 24. Therefore, extension of the piston rods 40 causes downward movement of the plunger lifting portion and retraction of these piston rods causes upward shifting movement of the plunger lifting portion.

It will be noted that the upper housing member 34 has a transverse passage 41 therein which is enlarged adjacent one side of this housing member and in which is positioned a threaded fitting 42. The fitting 42 is connected to a conduit 43 as best seen in F105. 2, 4 and 6. The transverse passage is also intercommunicated with a pair of spaced apart inclined I passages 44 each having one end connected in communicating relation with one of the chambers 37 and each having its other end opening outwardly. The outwardly opening end of each passage 44 is threaded and is closed by a threaded closure element 45 to thereby provide a bleeder outlet for each chamber 37.

Means are provided for controlling extension and retraction of pistons and associated rods with respect to the chambers 37. This control mechanism, designated generally by the reference numeral 46, includes a hollow housing 47 having a chamber 48 therethrough which is of generally cylindrical configuration. One end of the housing 47 is closed by an end plate 49 which is secured to the housing by suitable bolts 50. The other end of the housing 47 is closed by an end plate 51 which is secured to the housing by suitable bolts 52.

The end plate 49 has a centrally located boss 53 integrally formed therewith and a threaded opening 54 extends through the boss and end plate 49 and is threadedly engaged by an elongate threaded actuator member 55. One end of this threaded member 55 has a handle 56 secured thereto which is provided with a suitable gripping knob to facilitate turning of the threaded member. The other end of the threaded actuator member is provided with a reduced threaded end 57 which engages a threaded recess in a piston 58. Piston 58 has annular grooves therein in which is positioned scaling O-rings 59. It will be seen that when the threaded actuator member 55 is revolved, the piston 58 will be shifted axially of the chamber 48.

The end cap 51 has an outlet port 60 therein and this outlet port is threadedly engaged by fitting 61 which in turn is connected to conduit 43. The chamber 48 is therefore interconnected in communicating relation to the chambers 37 by the conduit 43, transverse passage 41 and the inclined passages 44. The end plate 51 also has a small bleeder passage 62 formed therein which is threaded at its outermost end and which is closed by closure element 63 to permit bleeding of the hydraulic fluid from the chamber 48. l

During operation of the machine, containers C will be supplied to the machine by a conveyor device 19 so that these containers, preferably cans, having opened upper ends will be moved into registering relation with one of the cavities whereby when the associated plunger downwardly, the flowable food product within the cavity will be discharged to the can. The filled cans or containers will then be moved by the conveyor device to another station. The flowable food product will be supplied successively to each cavity 14 through the supply conduit 16 when the multicavity structure 13 is revolved to position each cavity at the filling station. When this occurs, the plunger 18 which would previously have been moved to its lowermost position during dispensing will then be shifted upwardly by the plunger lifting portion 24.

However, in the event that it is desirable to adjust the quantity of material which is being introduced into each cavity 14. it is thereby necessary to adjust the upward travel of the plunger 18 and consequently the relative position of the plunger lifting portion relative to the fixed portion of the cam track structure. This adjustment can be accomplished while the machine is operating, thus obviating the necessity of a machine shutdown. in this regard, if it is desirable to diminish or lessen the amount of material being introduced into each cavity, it is merely necessary to shift the piston rods 40 downwardly.

In order to shift the piston rods 40 downwardly, an operator merely revolves the threaded actuator member 55 in a direction to shift the piston 58 towards the end wall 51. It is pointed out that a predetermined-amount of hydraulic fluid will be contained within the fluid pressure mechanism 33 and the control mechanism 46. Hydraulic fluid will be forced through the conduit 43, then through the passages 41 and thereafter through passages 44 into the chambers 37. The

pistons and their associated piston rods 40 will be shifted downwardly thus urging the plunger lifting portion 24 downwardly against the bias of the spring 30. Therefore the,

total vertical travel of the plungers 18 will be reduced when this adjustment is performed. It is pointed out that vertical adjustment of the plunger lifting portion of the cam track struc- 18 is shifted ture is relatively small, constituting at most only a fraction of an inch, so that there will be nonoticeable interruptions of travel in the track surface for movement thereover by the rollers.

in the event that it s desirable to increase the quantity of material being discharged into the containers, the reverse procedure is followed. The operator will then revolve the threaded actuator member 55 in a direction away from the end wall 51 thus increasing the volumetric space of the chamber 48. Since the coil spring 30 exerts a relatively heavy upward force on the plunger lifting portion 24, this causes some of the hydraulic fluid to flow from the chambers 37 through the conduit 43 and into the chamber 48. This flow of fluid will continue until the closed system has adjusted for the change in the position of the piston 58.

lt has also been found that since the revolvable dispensing unit is revolving at a relative high speed, the vertical change in direction of the cam roller when coacting with the plunger lifting portion 24 produces a substantial vertical shock force on the plunger lifting portion. However, since the piston rods 40 are maintained in contact with the plunger lifting portion, the shock impulses are dampened by the fluid pressure system. Therefore, not only does the closed fluid pressure system permit adjustment of the dispensing machine during operation thereof, .but this system also serves as a shock absorbing device to one of the portions of the machine which heretofore has been subjected to extensive wear.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that l have provided a dispensing machine with a control system which permits an operator to readily adjust the volume of products being dispensed without requiring stoppage of the machine. This control system also serves as a shock absorber for darnpening those shock impulses to which the cam lifting portion of the cam track is subjected.

Thus it will be seen that l have provided a novel control system for a dispensing machine, which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

lclaim:

1. A filling machine including:

a revolvable multicavity unit having a plurality of similar vertically oriented cavities therein corresponding in cross-sectional size to the cross-sectional size and shape of a container to be filled, each cavity having an inlet therein;

a supply conduit connected to a supply of flowable food products under pressure and having an outlet successively intercommunicated with the inlet of each cavity of said unit so each cavity is filled with flowable meat products;

a plurality of similar, vertically oriented plungers revolvable with said unit and each plunger having a cross-sectional size corresponding in size and shape to the cross-sectional shape and size of a cavity;

a cam roller on each plunger; an annular carn track engaged by each cam roller and cooperating therewith during revolving movement of said plungers to shift the same vertically with respect said cavities, said cam track including a fixed portion and a vertically adjustable plunger lifting portion, the former causing each plunger roller to shift its plunger downwardly into its associated cavity to force the flowable food from the cavity into a container positioned below and in registering relation with the cavity, said plunger lifting portion of the cam track causing each plunger cam roller to shift its plunger vertically upwardly from its lowered position simultaneously during intercommunication of the associated cavity with the supply conduit so that each cavity is successively filled with the flowable food product;

means mounting said plunger lifting portion of the cam track for selective vertical adjustment relative to said fixed portion of the cam track and including means engaging said plunger lifting portion and yielda ly resisting downward movement thereof;

a readily adjustable closed hydraulic system for vertically shifting the plunger lifting portion of the track comprising a fluid pressure mechanism including a' vertically oriented cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and being axially shiftable relative thereto, a piston rod secured to said piston and extending therefrom and engaging said plunger lifting portion for adjustably applying downward pressure thereon and cooperating with said yieldable means to vertically adjust the position of said plunger lifting portion with respect to said fixed portionof the cam track;

a control mechanism spaced from said fluid pressure mechanism and including a controlcylinder, a control piston in said control cylinder and being axially shiftable therein, a threaded member threadedly engaging said cylinder and being secured to said piston, said threaded member upon revolving movement being axially adjustable relative to said control cylinder to axially shift said control piston therein, a conduit connecting said cylinders in fluid communication, a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid in said cylinders and conduit whereby revolving movement of said threaded member causes extension or retraction of said first mentioned piston rod and permits the position of the plunger lifting portion to be selectively adjusted during revolvable movement of said plungers and multicavity unit.

2. A filling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said yieldable means comprises a coil spring engaging the lower surface of said plunger lifting portion of the cam track.

3. The filling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure mechanism includes a second vertically oriented cylinder having a piston axially moveable therein, a piston rod affixed to said last mentioned piston and projecting exteriorly of its associated cylinder to engage the upper surface of the plunger lifting portionof the cam track, passage means intercommunicating the cylinder of the fluid pressure mechanism whereby the piston rods thereof are extended or retracted in unison in response to revolving movement of said threaded member to thereby verticallyshift the plunger lifting portion of the cam track relative to the fixed portion thereof. 

1. A filling machine including: a revolvable multicavity unit having a plurality of similar vertically oriented cavities therein corresponding in crosssectional size to the cross-sectional size and shape of a container to be filled, each cavity having an inlet therein; a supply conduit connected to a supply of flowable food products under pressure and having an outlet successively intercommunicated with the inlet of each cavity of said unit so each cavity is filled with flowable meat products; a plurality of similar, vertically oriented plungers revolvable with said unit and each plunger having a cross-sectional size corresponding in size and shape to the cross-sectional shape and size of a cavity; a cam roller on each plunger; an annular cam track engaged by each cam roller and cooperating therewith during revolving movement of said plungers to shift the same vertically with respect said cavities, said cam track including a fixed portion and a vertically adjustable plunger lifting portion, the former causing each plunger roller to shift its plunger downwardly into its associated cavity to force the flowable food from the cavity into a container positioned below and in registering relation with the cavity, said plunger lifting portion of the cam track causing each plunger cam roller to shift its plunger vertically upwardly from its lowered position simultaneously during intercommunication of the associated cavity with the supply conduit so that each cavity is successively filled with the flowable food product; means mounting said plunger lifting portion of the cam track for selective vertical adjustment relative to said fixed portion of the cam track and including means engaging said plunger lifting portion and yieldably resisting downward movement thereof; a readily adjustable closed hydraulic system for vertically shifting the plunger lifting portion of the track comprising a fluid pressure mechanism including a vertically oriented cylinder, a piston in said cylinder and being axially shiftable relative thereto, a piston rod secured to said piston and extending therefrom and engaging said plunger lifting portion for adjustably applying downward pressure thereon and cooperating with said yieldable means to vertically adjust the position of said plunger lifting portion with respect to said fixed portion of the cam track; a control mechanism spaced from said fluid pressure mechanism and including a control cylinder, a control piston in said control cylinder and being axially shiftable therein, a threaded member threadedly engaging said cylinder and being secured to said piston, said threaded member upon revolving movement being axially adjustable relative to said control cylinder to axially shift said control piston therein, a conduit connecting said cylinders in fluid communication, a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid in said cylinders and conduit whereby revolving movement of said threaded member causes extension or retraction of said first mentioned piston rod and permits the position of the plunger lifting portion to be selectively adjusted during revolvable movement of said plungers and multicavity unit.
 2. A filling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said yieldable means comprises a coil spring engaging the lower surface of said plunger lifting portion of the cam track.
 3. The filling machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said fluid pressure mechanism includes a second vertically oriented cylinder having a piston axially moveable therein, a piston rod affixed to said last mentioned piston and projecting exteriorly of its associated cylinder to engage the upper surface of the plunger lifting portion of the cam track, passage means intercommunicating the cylinder of the fluid pressure mechanism Whereby the piston rods thereof are extended or retracted in unison in response to revolving movement of said threaded member to thereby vertically shift the plunger lifting portion of the cam track relative to the fixed portion thereof. 